Blaine "unconscious" at end of stunt

David Blaine was unconscious and convulsing when rescued at the end of his most recent stunt.

The illusionist had attempted to break the world record for holding one's breath after spending seven days submerged in a sphere full of water.

Free-diving expert Kirk Krack explained: "If we hadn't intervened, he would still be at the bottom of the sphere doing a breath-hold. I wasn't focused on records, I was thinking of a rescue. [He was] unconscious when we brought him to the surface."

Blaine was sent to hospital immediately after the conclusion of the stunt. Doctor Murat Gunel, who treated Blaine, added: "He still feels today that he let people down. I told him he needed to get out of the water [on the second day], and he refused. He said he did not want to let the people down."

Blaine suffered kidney, liver and skin damage from his time in the sphere.